DANVERS, Mass. -- A Danvers resident is credited by police with saving the life of a woman after he pulled a car crash victim from her burning vehicle early Wednesday morning.

The 23-year-old Danvers woman was driving on Strawberry Hill lane at about 12:30 a.m. when she struck a tree in front of a home.

Michael Scalia, 24, who was staying at his parents' home, was awakened by the noise from the crash.

When Scalia went outside, he saw the car on fire and pulled the woman, who was unconscious, to safety, police said.

"I couldn't see anyone inside, but the car interior was filling up with smoke," Scalia said.

He said he was afraid to move her out of concern for her injuries, but the realized he had no choice.

The car became engulfed in flames as emergency personnel were arriving at the scene.

"I took one look and said I hope there's no one in there," said Danvers police Sgt. Paul Stone. "Few people get the chance to save a life and rise to the occasion so admirably."

The woman was taken to Beverly Hospital and later transferred to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

Her name was not released. The cause of the crash remained under investigation. Police believe she was driving home at the time.

"I still can't believe it happened," said Scalia.